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- Tasks: Lead the PMO for a transformative pet care project, ensuring smooth governance and financial control.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to improving pet care through innovative technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the pet care industry while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and strong financial acumen are essential.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for collaboration and career advancement.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Contract: FTC until March 2027
Location: We welcome applications from those looking for hybrid working, (minimum 2 days per week) from our Handforth office in Cheshire.
About the Role
The PMO Lead (Darwin) owns the programme management office for Darwin – our multi-year initiative to ready and deploy the new Provet practice management system across the Vet estate. Operating as the Programme Lead’s critical friend, you will shape and run the governance, planning and financial control that keeps Darwin on track, on budget and aligned to our purpose: creating a better world for pets and the people who love them through a world-class pet care platform. Working predominantly from our Support Office in Handforth (with occasional travel to practices), you will partner with Technology, Finance, Central Delivery, Procurement, Audit & Risk, suppliers and practice teams to turn insight into action. Success relies on curiosity, resilience and the confidence to navigate ambiguity, quickly spotting issues, challenging constructively and adapting plans so our colleagues and clients experience a seamless transition to the new PMS.
Key Responsibilities
- Programme Governance & Control
- Maintain and evolve the Darwin RAIDDA log, ensuring every risk, assumption, issue, dependency, decision and action is recorded, actively managed and escalated where needed.
- Lead the change control process, co-chair the Change Board and guard scope, cost and time baselines so decisions are transparent and data-led.
- Provide weekly PMO status reports that surface achievements, variances and emerging hotspots, prompting timely course-correction.
- Facilitate internal assurance and external audit requirements, championing robust yet pragmatic governance that keeps the programme moving forward.
- Foster an environment where constructive challenge and adaptive thinking are encouraged, enabling the team to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
- Financial Management
- Own end-to-end financial oversight for Darwin across FY25–27, maintaining an accurate cost tracker and library of SoWs, change notes and invoices.
- Build annual forecasts in partnership with Finance, explaining drivers, assumptions and variances to ensure clarity and accountability.
- Monitor actual expenditure versus forecast, interrogating supplier charges and driving value through effective challenge and negotiation.
- Produce concise, insight-rich finance summaries for SteerCo and portfolio reporting, highlighting trends, risks and mitigation options.
- Cultivate a strong working relationship with Finance and Procurement, embedding resilient and adaptive financial controls.
- Integrated Planning & Reporting
- Support workstream leads to develop, baseline and maintain detailed plans that roll up into a single Darwin master schedule.
- Continuously assess critical path, dependencies and resource constraints, recommending mitigations to safeguard delivery.
- Embed a culture of accurate, timely reporting, using clear templates and coaching teams to focus on meaningful milestones and outcomes.
- Provide ad-hoc scenario modelling to test alternative plans when priorities shift or challenges arise.
- Translate complex data into crisp, actionable insights for senior stakeholders, ensuring decisions are informed and forward-looking.
- Resource & Supplier Management
- Lead Darwin’s resource planning, securing the right skills at the right time, tracking contractor assignments and managing extensions in line with budget.
- Coordinate account provisioning and on-boarding activities, ensuring new starters hit the ground running and colleagues remain engaged.
- Chair weekly calls with Provet and other vendors, holding them to account on delivery commitments, service quality and financial integrity.
- Monitor supplier performance, escalating issues promptly and facilitating swift resolution to protect programme milestones.
- Champion collaborative ways of working that balance firm governance with the agility needed to meet evolving business needs.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership Support
- Act as the Programme Lead’s deputy when required: chair team meetings, steer workshops and represent Darwin at governance forums.
- Prepare clear, compelling materials for SteerCo, JVC, Audit & Risk and central portfolio updates, ensuring our story, risks and asks are understood.
- Identify cross-workstream themes early, brokering solutions and drawing on subject-matter expertise to keep everyone aligned.
- Coach project teams in delivery best practice, fostering continuous improvement and a positive, problem-solving culture.
- Role-model adaptability, resilience and inclusive collaboration, encouraging colleagues to challenge constructively and embrace change.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential
- Proven track record leading a programme or portfolio PMO for complex, multi-year technology or business change initiatives.
- Deep expertise in risk, issue, change, financial and resource management within fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrable experience shaping and running governance forums, producing senior-level reporting and influencing at Exec/SteerCo level.
- Strong financial acumen with hands-on experience managing multi-million-pound budgets, supplier contracts and cost control.
- Advanced planning and analytical skills with the ability to distil complex data into clear, concise insights.
- Resilient, adaptable and comfortable navigating ambiguity, with a talent for constructive challenge and collaborative problem solving.
Desirable
- Formal project or programme management qualifications (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP, PMO-specific accreditation).
- Exposure to large-scale retail or healthcare technology deployments, ideally within a multi-site environment.
- Experience working in an agile or hybrid delivery environment.
- Knowledge of practice management systems or veterinary operations.
Disclaimer: This role profile sets out the current duties of the post that may vary from time to time without changing the character of the job or the level of responsibility entailed. However, all role profiles are regularly reviewed and updated accordingly in line with business needs.
PMO Lead in Cheadle employer: Pets at Home
Contact Detail:
Pets at Home Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land PMO Lead in Cheadle
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might know about the PMO Lead role. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s values and recent projects. Show us how your experience aligns with their mission of creating a better world for pets and their owners.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in past roles, especially around governance and financial management. We love hearing about real-life experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind and show us that you’re genuinely interested in the PMO Lead position.
We think you need these skills to ace PMO Lead in Cheadle
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with programme management, especially in complex, multi-year initiatives. We want to see how your skills align with the PMO Lead role and the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen: Since financial management is a key part of this role, don’t forget to include examples of how you've successfully managed budgets and financial oversight in previous positions. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their ability to drive value through effective financial control.
Highlight Your Governance Experience: The PMO Lead will be responsible for governance and reporting, so make sure to mention any relevant experience you have in leading governance forums or producing senior-level reports. We’re looking for someone who can clearly communicate risks and insights to stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pets at Home
✨Know Your Programme Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of the Darwin programme. Understand its goals, challenges, and how it aligns with the company's mission. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you articulate how your experience can contribute to its success.
✨Showcase Your Financial Savvy
Since financial management is a key part of the role, be prepared to discuss your experience with budget oversight and cost control. Bring examples of how you've successfully managed multi-million-pound budgets in the past, and be ready to explain your approach to financial forecasting and tracking.
✨Demonstrate Your Governance Skills
Highlight your experience in shaping and running governance forums. Be ready to discuss how you've maintained transparency in decision-making processes and how you've used data to influence senior stakeholders. This will show that you can effectively manage the governance aspect of the PMO.
✨Embrace Adaptability and Problem-Solving
The role requires resilience and the ability to navigate ambiguity. Prepare to share examples of how you've tackled unexpected challenges in previous projects. Emphasise your collaborative approach and how you encourage constructive challenges within teams to foster a positive problem-solving culture.
